January 13th Research Group Review

The January 13th meeting of the Chula Vista Genealogical Society's Research Group had 14 in attendance.

In the first hour, Randy reviewed the genealogy news and highlights since mid-December, including:

*   Finding Your Roots, with Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. as the host, is a genealogy-oriented series on PBS started on 5 January and is on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. on PBS through February.  

*  The 2016 Southern California Genealogy Jamboree will be June 3-5 in Burbank at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel - registration is now open and hotel reservations can be made.

*  Randy offered an "Ancestor Score" table to attendees - see how many ancestors you have in each generation (see http://www.geneamusings.com/2016/01/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-your.html).

*  He also reviewed some of the mobile apps he uses for genealogy on his iPhone and tablet (see  http://www.geneamusings.com/2016/01/dear-randy-how-do-you-use-your.html).

*  Lastly, he reviewed his Top 10 Genealogy News items from 2015 (see  http://www.geneamusings.com/2016/01/top-10-genealogy-news-items-for-2015-my.html).

In the second hour, the attendees had an opportunity to share their questions, their research challenges and research successes.

*  Bobbie has 8 grandchildren and got to see all of them at Christmas.  Her grandson in the Air Force flew in as a surprise from New Mexico.

*  Linda spent time at Christmas with her extended family and identified people in old family pictures.

*  Jane read two books by John Colletta, including his Italian Roots book.

*  Arlene's granddaughter married in 2014, and asked her mother-in-law for family information.  She received five generations of family information.

*  Diane noted that the Chula Vista Stake Family History Fair is May 21.  She has been working with her grandson on Ancestry.com.

*  Carole's great-aunt was on a Rose Bowl float in 1919.  She has been trying to find articles and photographs about the event.  She found a brochure with photos on www.Bookfinder.com and passed it around.

*  Bobbie reported on her summer vacation to Illinois and New York to find more of her German ancestors.  She visited the Hamburg N.Y. cemetery for Titus family, and contacted a church there for Miller family information with great success.

*  Jane reported on her summer trip to Troy, N.Y. in search of her del Vecchio family.  Her goal now is to get it all in the computer.  She got help from the CDC website that has vital record contact information (www.cdc.gove/nchs/w2w.htm).   She wants tips on how to best and wisely manage her time.  The group suggested a to-do list and a research log.

*  Shirley mentioned a website with a list of many useful websites - http://sites.lib.byu.edu/familyhistory/.

*  Delores is creating a website, one section with ancestor narratives with maps and records, and wants help with The Next Generation (TNG) of Genealogy Software program.  She also asked "How do we know that we are correct in our research?"  The group said that following the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) helps, and that original record sources with first-hand information are preferred over derivative or compiled works and second-hand information.  

*  Gary showed some of the revised pages on the CVGS website - the Events page, Forum page, and the Handouts pages in the Members only section.  

The next meeting of the CVGS Research Group will be at 12 noon on Wednesday, 10 February 2016 in the Conference Room of the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street, Chula Vista).